THE last time the EU finance ministers visited Ireland for an informal meeting was six years ago during our last presidency, when the meeting was held in the pleasant setting of Ashford Castle. The world of politics moves fast and few of those attending at Ashford remain as finance minister - the only longstanding one is German minister, Theo Waigel.

A feature of the meeting was the relationship between the British and Irish ministers of the day - Albert Reynolds and John Major. Could there be great things in store for Ruairi Quinn and Kenneth Clarke?

A nice moment in Ashford came when John Major opened up a packed press conference to questions. A voice appeared from a journalist sitting just in front of his desk. "The Financial Times here at your feet, chancellor," the man from the pink said, in an attempt to get Mr Major's attention. The then chancellor held up his hand. "Let me treasure this moment," he sighed. And wouldn't John Major just love to have the British media at his feet now!